Van Hollen, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Aid Workers in Conflict Zones
WASHINGTON – Today, on Human Rights Day, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The lawmakers’ legislation, the Commitment to Aid Workers Act, would strengthen U.S. efforts to safeguard those who risk their
Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela: “As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power
Senators Blunt Rochester, Merkley, Warnock Introduce Bill to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) today introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act. The bill would reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Program as the REPAIR Infrastructure Program,
Senate Committee Passes Merkley Climate Amendment with Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee threw bipartisan support behind an amendment sponsored by Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley to help tackle climate change. The amendment enables the U.S. State Department to invest in the global Green Climate Fund. The amendment passed on a bipartisan 16-14 vote and
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduces Legislation to Provide Access to Banking Services for Legal Marijuana Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan group of Senators – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) – introduced the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015, legislation to ensure that legal marijuana businesses
Oregon Delegation Announces Manufacturing Designation for Oregon Communities
Portland, OR – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden were joined by Oregon Congressmen Peter Defazio, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici today in announcing that Oregon and SW Washington have received a manufacturing designation under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative for the Pacific Northwest
MERKLEY STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATION’S RULE CHANGE ON OVERTIME PAY
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after President Obama announced a rule change that would make millions more Americans eligible for overtime pay. It would extend overtime protections to all salaried workers making up to about $50,400 a year from $23,660. “This significant change
MERKLEY URGES SENATE VOTE ON CHEMICAL SAFETY BILL TO KEEP OREGONIANS SAFE FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS IN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS
Eugene, OR – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley was in Eugene today to call on Congress to quickly vote on the bipartisan Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to keep our children safe from the toxic chemicals that they come in contact with on a daily basis. Merkley also
MERKLEY LEADS SENATORS IN CALLING ON WHITE HOUSE TO RESCIND SHELL OIL COMPANY’S ARCTIC PERMIT
Washington, DC – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by four other Senators, urged the White House and President Obama to rescind Shell Oil Company’s conditional Exploration Permit in the Chukchi Sea. Merkley, along with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) wrote